Detrimental to the League

Commentary

The worst scenario for a sports fan sitting at home or in the stadium watching a highly anticipated basketball, football, or baseball game is to have talk of referees dominate the in-game and post game chatter. 

Although, this is the case in a few instances as regular and postseasons play out; it has provided NFL fans with worry after the first week of preseason football.  Seven rookies on the field looking lost and at times goofy, have been put in charge of officiating world class athletes, playing a game on a level in which these replacements are unfamiliar with.  Clearly after the sample size we have (albeit small) replacement officials have no business being on the same field as NFL players for a myriad of obvious reasons. 

The NFL and its commissioner Roger Goodell are in control of a product so popular and respected, but yet lowered itself to locking out arguably its most crucial on field aspect.  Without experienced officials running the show, player safety is put in jeopardy, game speed is slowed, unexplained calls occur more frequently, and both players and fans simply can’t trust what is taking place during the game. 

Now, this is not to suggest the locked out officials haven’t made bad calls or had lapses in judgment on the field in the past that put player safety at risk.  Indeed they have.  Poorly officiated games will always be apart of the sport.  There is no doubt that the NFL needs to make changes; making their officials full time employs instead of part time weekend warriors might be a start.

                    

You would think that a league so profitable and gung-ho about safety, would consider compensating its rule enforcers to the level at which they request.  Not doing so causes players and fans to question the league and its leaders of what they consider to be their best interest.  It makes it seem as if player safety and a quality game have been placed on the back burner, so owners and league executives can pocket a little more revenue.    

After what fans witnessed in week one of preseason, it’s safe to assume that the NFL recognizes the need to get their veteran guys back to work.  At least let’s hope so.